Transfer news regarding Liverpool and Jude Bellingham caused a frenzy yesterday, with contradictory reports emerging throughout the day.
The end of the Liverpool-Bellingham transfer saga?
The day began with reliable reports claiming that Liverpool had made their first bid for Borussia Dortmund’s young midfielder, but by evening, multiple sources suggested that Liverpool had withdrawn from the race to sign him altogether.
This morning, more reports have been published, reiterating that Liverpool had indeed cooled their interest in Bellingham.
Paul Joyce wrote that Liverpool was hesitant to spend over £100 million on a single player due to underwhelming campaign results.
While observers blame Liverpool’s recruitment team, Chris Bascombe suggests that Liverpool’s decision to step away from the auction has been taken out of pragmatism, and Jurgen Klopp is fully on board with the decision.
Bascombe told Telegraph,
“Jurgen Klopp needs to restructure with at least four top class and expensive additions. That is impossible if his entire budget is allocated to one player.
Jurgen Klopp had no inclination to wait for the outcome of a bidding war when alternatives can be secured cheaper and quicker.
Third – and most pertinent of all – Liverpool currently cannot afford to buy Bellingham and fund the rest of their summer spending.
Firstly, they are unsure if the England midfielder will leave Borussia Dortmund summer. Second, they are even less sure Anfield would be his preferred option given the spending power of those who want him.“
He continued,
“Unable to compete on the pitch against the Premier League and Champions League competitors in 2023, they have been forced to concede how far behind they are off it, too. Liverpool chose to back away from the deal for several reasons.
In stepping aside to allow others to fight for Jude Bellingham, Liverpool have been forced to issue a humbling statement of their current standing.
Given the resources of his other admirers, that looks doubtful, however.“
“If there is one glimmer of hope for those still hoping he ends up at Anfield, it could be that he opts to remain for another season, opening up the possibility for him being more affordable at a later date.”
It seems Liverpool cannot afford a deal for Bellingham and wants to bring in their alternative as soon as possible.
Klopp wants his new signings in well in time for pre-season, and Liverpool has reportedly withdrawn from the race to sign Bellingham, citing the prohibitive cost of a deal, which would be over £115 million.
Liverpool supporters are frustrated as Bellingham has been linked to Liverpool for several transfer windows.
The Reds’ precious midfield headache
Ironically, while most analysts believe Liverpool’s midfield needs improvement this season, the club and manager Klopp decided against adding a midfielder to their roster last year. Klopp claimed at the time that he was perplexed by the issues surrounding midfield signings.
“Where is the need for a midfielder?”
said Klopp last summer.
“I wait for the day when somebody comes to me and tells me why, exactly. Now you tell me what kind of player are we missing?”
Those words have come back to haunt him and will continue to plague the manager now that the Bellingham chase appears to have failed, just like the pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni last summer.
Other midfield options for Klopp
Liverpool have been linked with a host of other midfielders, including Chelsea duo Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher, Wolves‘ Matheus Nunes, Fulham‘s Joao Palhinha, Brighton duo Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo, and Bayern’s Ryan Gravenberch.
There is a feeling that the owners of Liverpool, Fenway Sports Group, are risk-averse and unwilling to spend the money necessary to bring Bellingham to the club.
This is another example of the owners using the excuse of no Champions League football as a reason for not financing the deal.